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| | | | Joined: May 2014 Posts: 44 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: May 2014 Posts: 44 | I am in the process of rebuilding the original 216 engine for my 51 3100. The harmonic balancer has the hand crank teeth. I want to have the machine shop drill and tap the crankshaft snout. The problem is that I don't see how I can use the old harmonic balancer and bolt it to the crankshaft with the typical SBC retainer bolt and cap. The teeth stick out too far and are uneven(probably from previous hammer blows). I have not been able to find a source for a different harmonic balancer without the hand crank teeth.
I know that harmonic balancer installation has been covered extensively but I was unable to find this specific issue. I apologize if it has already been covered. Any help is appreciated. Thanks!
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 | That hand-crank "feature" (unadvertised/un-promoted by GM in 1949 and later, it seems?), was not available on harmonic balancers from 1953 or 1954 upwards.
In 1953, the belt groove changed to 3/8". The 1953 balancer might have had the hand-crank "feature".
A wider belt was used in earlier years, so if you use a balancer without the hand-crank "feature", you will need to change to a narrower fan belt. That belt will ride low in your water pump fan pulley (unless you change it) and in your generator pulley (unless you change it).
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,750 Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) | | Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,750 | The fix is simple if your machine shop has a lathe and someone with enough experience to use it. Set the balancer up in a 3-jaw chuck using the balancer snout and a strip of brass to protect the seal surface, and have them machine a step in the inside diameter of the hand crank lugs big enough for a flat washer to fit. They will probably need to use a carbide cutter bit since it's cast iron. It eliminates the hand crank function, but it's unlikely that's important unless you're building a 100 point show truck.
If your machinist can't figure it out, box the balancer up and send it to me- - - -I do it all the time.
Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln
Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt!
There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway
Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
| | | | | Joined: May 2014 Posts: 44 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: May 2014 Posts: 44 | The owner of the machine shop said he could do whatever I wanted. However if it was his he would just put it back together the way the factory did it. He checked the fit of the crank to the balancer before he gave me his opinion. So I think I will follow his advice. Thanks for your advice! | | |
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